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Joseph Stewart has been convicted following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court

A paedophile who sexually abused children has been jailed for 21 years after his victims bravely came forward to inform police of their ordeal.

Joseph Stewart abused one of the youngsters in the early 2000s, with the other victim abused after 2010.

The victims, who were young children at the time, realised what had happened to them as they grew into adults and informed Northumbria Police.

Officers immediately began an investigation into Stewart and arrested him.

In interview, the 56-year-old denied carrying out the attacks but was charged with five counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child, one count of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual activity with a child.

He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges but was found guilty following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in July and remanded in custody.

At the same court yesterday, Stewart, previously of Newcastle but most recently of Albion Gardens, Burnopfield, County Durham, was jailed for a total of 21 years.

Stewart was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, sex offender registration and a restraining order.

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A woman raped in her own home by a man she met has spoken of the trauma, saying her abuser "destroyed my soul."

Paul Dixon, 57, of Old Orchard, Fulwood, Preston, was convicted of rape by a jury at Preston Crown Court but failed to appear for sentencing on three occasions. Judge Darren Preston, noting Dixon's terminal illness but seeing no benefit in further delay, sentenced him to nine years in absentia.

In summer 2018, Dixon visited her home and raped her as she cried for help and pleaded with him to stop. The judge described Dixon's trial account as ranging "from absurd to worryingly self pitying," adding: "He seemed to believe there was nothing wrong with calling [the woman] nasty names and forcing himself on her. He is clearly a nasty and jealous man with no care for anything apart from his physical desires."

Fighting back tears, the victim—supported by family in the public gallery—said she had been an active community member, finding fulfillment in charity work and helping others. After the attack, she became "a shell of herself," suffering PTSD that left her anxious and unable to engage in life.

"He was always asking for intimate pictures when on many occasions I didn’t want to. Then he would use this against me and make me feel disgusting," she said. "His abusive behaviour that was destroying my soul."

Her family cried as she described Dixon's impact, noting they felt they had "lost" her. She added: "I became a shell of myself. He raped me in my own home where I was supposed to feel safe. My cries for help and to stop were disregarded. I have never felt such fear in my life. I felt terrorised into submission. How could he ever think that was consent? I was totally destroyed that day.

"I didn’t want to carry on living. He left me suicidal and struggling with every day life. I cried constantly and was in a constant state of confusion. I would shut myself away. I couldn’t eat. I felt physically sick all the time. I lost weight and felt weak."

Judge Preston said: "There is no mitigation in this case. The defendant's illness means that any sentence of any length will almost inevitably be a life sentence and I must make some reduction for that feature of the case—although it seems to be entirely academic if the papers are correct."

Dixon's barrister submitted a letter confirming his terminal cancer diagnosis with a six- to 12-month prognosis. The judge noted: "The system has its own process and procedure for terminally ill patients and Mr Dixon will be eligible to apply to the Home Secretary for end of life release."

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A 31-year-old man has been jailed for sexual offences.

Sam Sherman Davies, of NFA, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court today, Monday September 11th, after pleading guilty to rape and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. He was also issued with a restraining order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Delyth Shakespeare said: “The length of his sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the impact it has had on the victim.

“I commend the bravery of the victim who has shown remarkable courage throughout the investigation, and I hope that she can find closure and comfort in knowing that justice has been served today.

“We remain committed to bringing perpetrator of sexual crimes to justice and I would encourage anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime to come forward and speak to us.”

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An Aberdeen barman who hunted underage girls for sex on Snapchat has been jailed for two years.

Richard Preston, 33, used the social media app to contact his victims – aged just 14 and 15 –  before inviting them to his city centre flat for sex.

Description

A "depraved sex offender" from Swansea who targeted scores of young children online has been sent to prison.

Police discovered more than 2,000 indecent images and videos of children on devices belonging to 20-year-old Caleb Courtman, some of which he had sourced directly from child victims he had groomed.

Courtman had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with them after approaching them on social media platforms, and then bullied and blackmailed them into sending explicit images and into performing sex acts on camera.

Some of the children were as young as nine.

142 have been identified and safeguarded by South Wales Police but work is ongoing to identify all the children that Courtman contacted.

The court heard the police investigation showed that over the course of many months Courtman sent the children explicit photographs of himself and talked about them coming to his home in Swansea for sex.

He was given an extended 24-year sentence in a young offenders institution and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Dyfed Thomas, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the offending came to light in December last year after police received information that indecent images had been uploaded to the internet via accounts linked to Courtman.

He was arrested and his phones and laptops were seized. He was released on bail.

The prosecutor said while on bail Courtman continued to offend, with his offending becoming "ever more insidious". He was arrested again in February this year.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said it was clear Courtman was a "deeply entrenched paedophile" who posed a "quite exceptionally high risk of serious harm" to young girls in the future.

Caleb Courtman, aged 20, of Davies Row, Treboeth, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to 35 offences of engaging in sexual communications with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession of indecent images of categories A, B, and C, distribution of an indecent image, voyeurism, and blackmail when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. Another 98 offences were taken into consideration.
Jon Tarrant, for Courtman, said there was little mitigation he could put forward other than the age of the defendant and his guilty pleas, and he said he accepted an extended sentence was inevitable in the case.

Detective Constable Natalie Revers from South Wales Police said: "This has been a shocking and disturbing investigation and I would like to thank the families and children who have supported the police investigation and commend their bravery in speaking out.

"I would also like to thank others involved in the wider investigation for their hard work and assistance over the past seven months, and for their ongoing support.

“We urge anyone who believes they may have been victim of online sexual abuse to report it to police. They will be treated with dignity and compassion by our officers and the support services with whom we work closely.”

Description

A paedophile was captured after he lost his phone which was jam-packed full of horrific indecent images of children.

Anthony Crosbie left his mobile phone on a bus in 2020, and it was found by a member of the public. But when the person opened up the phone, they saw a graphic indecent image and immediately reported it to police.

When 34-year-old Crosbie was arrested, another mobile phone was seized by police, and that one was also found to contain vile indecent images. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the ages of the children in the images were aged as young as one-year-old.

Crosbie, of Eastfield House, Walker, Newcastle, appeared at the court on Tuesday to be sentenced for four counts of making indecent images of children. He had admitted the offences.

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said: "The offences came to light in January 2020 when the defendant lost his mobile phone on a bus. A member of the public opened the device to identify the owner and was met with an indecent image of a child."

The court heard that police were able to track the mobile phone back to Crosbie and he was interviewed that year, but made no reply. Mr Bunch said that the lost mobile phone contained 169 category A images, as well as 74 category B and 214 category C. The majority of the children depicted were between the ages of two and four-years-old, the court heard.

When Crosbie was arrested, another mobile phone was seized which had over 900 indecent images on it, depicting children from the ages of one-year-old upwards. A third device that was later found and had over 1,900 indecent images on it.

Andrew Walker, defending, said Crosbie was "ashamed of his behaviour" and remorseful. He said Crosbie was at a "low ebb" at the time of the offending and was drinking heavily. He added: "Frankly, in a number of ways his life was disintegrating."

Sentencing Crosbie, Judge Stephen Earl said the images discovered were "appalling" and handed him a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must carry out 20 rehabilitation days, a six month alcohol treatment programme and will be on the sex offender's register for 10 years. A 10 year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed.

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A Deliveroo driver sex offender befriended a 15-year-old boy and drove him in his car despite being subject to a strict order forbidding him from being in the company of anyone under the age of 18. Derby Crown Court heard how Rory Mulcahy deleted messages from social media which he was also not allowed to do under the terms of an order for past offending.

Jailing the married 28-year-old for 20 months, Recorder Michelle Heeley said: “This was a deliberate and persistent breach in a number of ways but I accept you did not act in any untoward way towards this young man.”

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Mulcahy, of Alfreton, was handed a sexual harm prevention order at Preston Court in October 2020 as part of his punishment for a sexual offence, the details of which were not outlined in court in Derby this week. He said under its terms, the defendant is not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 and is not allowed to delete his internet history.

But in August this year police received information he had been in the company of the 15-year-old boy so they went to his address and seized a number of electronic devices.

Mr Jones said: “It was discovered he had deleted history specifically from Instagram and Snapchat, sent the 15-year-old boy Facebook messages and had then had him in his car with him. He made full admissions in interviews.”

Mulcahy, of Leabrooks, pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order. Will Bennett, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Description

An "arrogant, narcissistic and self-obsessed" rapist who violently attacked two men he met through the dating app Grindr has been jailed.

Dr Mohammed Altaher, 38, attacked the two men at his home in Bedford in August and September 2019.

Altaher, of Cardington Road, was found guilty at an earlier hearing of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault by penetration.

He was jailed for 10 years at St Albans Crown Court.

Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne said both victims had withdrawn consent but Altaher "carried on regardless", raping them in an "aggressive manner".

One victim was given the drug MCAT before being subjected to sexual aggression, including rape.

He said the experience left him behaving "like a zombie."

The second victim was grabbed, kissed and pushed onto a bed by Altaher immediately after arriving at his home and was then raped.

In his victim statement he said the rape had a "significant impact" on his mental health and well-being.

"I was confident, healthy and outgoing and I now rely on medication," the court heard.

Andrew Cohen, defending, said Altaher had a "level of neuro-diversity that meant he did not understand or take signals from other people."

He said Altaher, who has a doctorate, was an expert in AI.

Recorder Andrew Johnson said the two men had gone to Altaher's home for consensual sex which would have occurred if the defendant had acted differently.

"But your approach to both of those encounters was to treat both of your victims as objects with whom you could do what you wished, when you wished, as you wished," he said.

The judge described Altaher as "arrogant", "narcissistic" and "very self-obsessed"

Altaher, who is appealing against his conviction, will be put on the sex offenders register for life and will also face extra probation monitoring for five years after he is released.

Det Con Kevin Cheese of Hertfordshire police said: "There is undoubtedly under-reporting in regards to male victims of sexual violence and I want to thank both survivors in this case for coming forward and getting a dangerous predator like Altaher off the streets."

Description

A paedophile has gone to jail for deleting his Snapchat history and sending a picture of his erect penis to someone he thought was an underage girl. Jason Denholm, 51, twice breached a sexual harm prevention order and asked inappropriate questions to the 'child' like whether she was a virgin.

Denholm, of Church Street, Helston, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Thursday (September 7) on one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

It was heard that on August 3, 2023, he breached the court-imposed order by not retaining the history of internet use by deleting apps RandoChat and Snapchat - which was something he was required to do following September 22, 2020, when the SHPO was made.

On the same day he used a cloud or storage device to store digital images and did not notify police within three days of their creation, another thing he was required to do by the order. Finally he, for the purposes of sexual gratification, intentionally attempted to communicate with profile NEVE on July 12, 2023.

It was heard he did not reasonably believe the 'underage girl' to be over 16 years of age. The communication was also sexual in nature with him asking questions about what the girl (actually a decoy account) was wearing and if she was a virgin.

He then asked if she wanted to see a photo of his penis and sent a photo of an erect penis to her. He pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced by Judge Robert Linford to three years imprisonment. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was also made for a period of ten years.

Description

A paedophile from Devon has been jailed for 20 years for raping a child. Paul Keith Buckland, 35, will spend 20 years behind bars after being found guilty of nine sexual offences, including two counts rape of a child and two counts of attempted rape of a child under the age of 13.

Buckland, of Prestonbury Close, in Plymouth, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court today (Friday, September 8). He refused to attend court to hear his sentence and this was considered an aggravating factor, increasing his sentence.

The offences were committed over 10 years ago while he was living in Tidworth, on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. The offences were reported to Wiltshire Police in 2020, WiltshireLive reports.

Buckland was arrested and charged before being found guilty of:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13;
• Two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13;
• Two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13;
• One count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child;
• Two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

As well as his 20-year prison term, he will also be required to sign on to the sex offenders’ register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Police have commended the victim who reported Buckland.

Investigating officer DC Louise Thomas, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Buckland is an abhorrent individual who committed unspeakable acts to, and in the presence of, a child. “Actions such as his have long-lasting and traumatic effects on their victims, which can manifest in myriad ways.

“I’d like to commend the victim in speaking to us about her experiences – I understand how difficult it must have been for her and I hope that this sentence can bring some sort of relief, knowing Buckland is behind bars. This case is a reminder that Wiltshire Police will always investigate reports of sexual assault and child abuse, no matter when the incident took place.

“This incident took place more than a decade ago but didn’t come to light until 2020 when it was bravely reported to us by the victim and her family.

“Please be reassured that the CAIT team here in Wiltshire Police is totally committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Buckland and protecting innocent victims.”

Description

A notorious sexual predator targeted a vulnerable 14-year-old Derby girl for sexual activity after going on the run just days after being released from prison. Derby Crown Court heard how Christopher Leask encouraged the teenager to escape from home after sexually abusing her behind a charity shop in the city.

The 38-year-old paedophile’s sentencing hearing was told how he stored the victim as "Babygirl" in his mobile phone, took her to a McDonald's and was finally found with her outside Asda in Sinfin.

Now the former Alvaston pervert has been put behind bars for years. Handing him an 11-and-a-half-year sentence, Recorder Michelle Heeley KC said: “She was vulnerable and that you called her ‘Babygirl’ demonstrates your attitude. You are a sexual predator and you present a risk of serious harm to more people. There is clear evidence you targeted and groomed this young girl.”

Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, said Leask was released from a 16-week jail sentence for breaching the terms of being on the sex offender register in July 2022 and should have gone straight to a bail hostel but did not and did not tell his supervisors. He said by the end of that month he was in the Normanton area of Derby and had met the victim.

The prosecutor said: “She is 14 years old but is vulnerable and presents as younger than that. Her parents became concerned that she was meeting a new friend. Her father saw her with the defendant in the street and told her mother.

“On July 30, her mother saw her in the street with the defendant and told him that (her daughter) was 14 and that he shouldn’t be with her and called him a paedophile. By this time she had bruising on her neck consistent with a love bite and her parents were concerned about how she had come by it.

“She told them that he had given her it and that she had given him one back. They forbade her from seeing him. It was clear however that the defendant maintained contact – particularly by social media. The police recovered conversations between them and (the girl) was stored in his phone as ‘Babygirl’.”

Mr Dunne said in the early hours of August she escaped from her house via a window. The defendant was there and it was something that they had planned. He said her parents realised that she had gone at around 4am and contacted the police who conducted a search to try to find her.

The prosecutor said: “They found CCTV from a local McDonald's that showed the two of them together and that they were very close and kissing. As a result of a sighting just before 4pm, they located the defendant and the teenager near Asda at Sinfin.

“The defendant was originally seen on his own and made an attempt to escape from the police before being captured after resisting and (the girl) was found at the rear of the store. She was wearing the defendant’s coat.”

Mr Dunne said Leask was taken to St Mary’s Wharf police station and placed in a cell where he tried to get rid of his underwear by flushing it down the toilet. He said although it was recovered, it was not possible to get any DNA results from it but it was possible to get DNA results from the girl’s underwear which made it clear sexual activity had taken place between them.

The prosecutor said the girl was interviewed and told officers sexual activity had taken place between them behind a charity shop. Leask, now of Raleigh Street, Radford, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and failing to comply with notification requirements.

He has a number of previous convictions going back to 1997 including similar offences which saw him handed a six-year sentence with an extended five-year licence in 2011.

Roger Wilson, mitigating, said his client accepts that he is seen as dangerous in the eyes of the law. He said: “The most powerful mitigation is his early guilty pleas. He had a difficult upbringing, he was (sexually) abused himself.”

Leask’s sentence is made up of a seven-and-a-half-year custodial sentence plus a four-year extended licence. It means he will not be eligible to apply for parole until two thirds of the way through the custodial element - five years.

Description

A sex offender who breached his notification requirements has been jailed.

Harry Agate, 28, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register in 2017, meaning he is required to notify police within three days of any changes to his circumstances, including his address.

On 20 May, 2022, officers visited Agate at his registered Peterborough address. However, they were told he had moved out following an argument with his housemate.

Agate, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his requirements. He was sentenced to one year and four months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court.

Detective Constable Faye Patterson said: “Our specialist officers – also known as MOSOVO officers – are trained in the response to and management of sexual or violent offenders and are dedicated to ensuring offenders stick to their requirements.

“I hope this case shows our dedication to bringing those who breach their orders before the courts.”

Description

A sex attacker raped a child at a country park - just two weeks after he was released from prison. Wayne Scarratt took the young victim's mobile phone, bank card and bus pass following the ordeal, leaving her stranded.

The girl was left with a fractured right cheek and collarbone and also suffered bruising to her right eye, face and foot. She managed to flag down a passing cyclist, who then reported the incident to police.

Officers found Scarratt, 28, hiding in a hedgerow in Malvern following the sick attack in Chasewater Country Park, near Burntwood, last August. He was arrested and later convicted of rape and other sexual offences after being found guilty by a unanimous jury on May 25 this year.

Scarratt, of Malvern, Worcestershire, was sentenced to 19 years behind bars at Stafford Crown Court for rape, assault by penetration, assault, theft and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order during a hearing on Monday, September 4. He will serve a minimum term of 12-and-a-half years behind bars.

Detective Constable Dan Hopkins, from Staffordshire Police, said: “I’d like to commend the survivor for her immense bravery throughout this entire investigation. I hope this sentence provides some sort of comfort for her and her family and it serves as an example to anyone who is a survivor that we are committed to securing justice.”

Description

A man sexually assaulted a woman while she slept in her own home. Darrel Phillips, 44, travelled to the victim's house in Tower Hamlets on July 12, 2020, to stay the night in her spare room.

Then in the early hours, Phillips told the woman that he wanted to have sex with her but she rejected his advances.

The next morning she woke up in pain and realised that her clothing had been removed from the waist down. She also recalled a memory of Phillips in her bed and pushing him away, saying 'no'.

The woman reported the incident to the police and detectives from the Central East Command Unit began investigating. Phillips, Saffron Walden, Essex, was arrested, but when interviewed he declined to answer questions and denied all allegations.

Phillips was found guilty of assault by penetration at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, July 14, following an inquiry by detectives specialising in investigating sexual offences. The woman has been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation.

His sentencing on Tuesday, September 5, follows a five-day trial where he received an indefinite restraining order against the victim. He has also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely

Detective Sergeant Michael Dixon from the Central East Safeguarding Team, said: “Phillips showed no regard to the rights of a woman and he attacked her whist she slept. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim-survivor, who has shown enormous courage throughout this process and fought for justice.

“We fully understand that reporting a sexual crime can be traumatic for anyone. I would urge anyone in this position to get in contact with the police – you will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers.”

Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques Officer (SOIT) Thomas Coe from the Central East Safeguarding team added: “I would strongly encourage any person who has been subjected to a sexual offence to report to police, and visit a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or Haven.

"Part of the reason that this conviction was secured is because it was reported immediately, and vital forensic evidence was gathered at the earliest opportunity. I hope this sends a strong signal to victim-survivors that we are absolutely committed to investigating these crimes fully.”

Description

A 28-year-old man who a court heard worked for Stroud District Council abducted and raped a young girl after grooming her on Xbox.

Shaun Davies pleaded guilty to abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl on July 27, 2021 and was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday (September 5). 

Davies, of Greenway, Brockworth, travelled to Derby to commit the offences.

He initially denied the offences but changed his pleas to guilty after the victim gave evidence on the first day of his trial. 

Jason Coulter, for the defence, said in court that Davies worked for Stroud District Council and that he had resigned last week.

However, speaking after the hearing, SDC said he was employed via an agency and did not work directly for the authority. 

Prosecutor Ian Fenny said the grooming began over the Xbox when the conversation evolved and Davies, who was aged 26 at the time, turned to the girl, who he knew was aged 14, and told her it was about time she lost her virginity. 

Mr Fenny said: “The victim felt she was getting closer to Davies and she felt he wanted to be with her. 

“The girl’s family suspected that something was happening but when challenged she denied to her parents that anything untoward was occurring.

“On July 27, 2021, Davies arrived at the girl’s home and told her that they were going away for a time. He whisked her away without the parent’s permission. 

"She believed she was travelling to Leeds to look at a plot of land. 

“While they were travelling, the girl’s father was sending messages to his daughter, who was prevented by Davies from replying. 

“Davies then took the phone off the girl and drove to two isolated spots in Derby to have sex with the girl.”

The court was told that after they had got back into the car, Davies was stopped by police in the Greater Manchester area after the alarm had been raised by the girl’s family.

The girl was returned to her family, whereupon she was subjected to a number of tests. Internal DNA evidence confirmed that Davies had raped the girl.

'The worst thing that ever happened to me' says victim

The teenage victim said in her statement: “I shall never forget the day Davies took me. 

“He had his hand on my lap all the time we were travelling, he spoke to me in a particular way. 

“When we had sex I don’t know why he didn’t stop when I said no.

“What he physically did to me hurt me greatly. That was the worst thing that ever happened to me. 

“I was upset and angry as I hated the idea that I could have been made pregnant by Davies. I have not felt the same ever since. 

“I’ve had difficulty sleeping.

"I’ve tried really hard not to think about what’s happened. I have suffered from nightmares ever since. This whole episode has made me feel lonely and sad.”

Jason Coulter, defending, said: “Davies wasn’t at the start of the trial process, as he was told he would lose his job if he didn’t attend that day. 

“He was persuaded that pleading guilty, in light of the girl’s evidence, was the way forward.

“Davies left school with little in the way of qualifications and last week he resigned from his job at Stroud District Council.

“The pre-sentence report suggests that he has shown little remorse for his actions, but through me he wishes to apologise and express his remorse to his victim and her wider family." 

'Carefully calculated process of grooming' says judge 

In sentencing Davies to a prison term of seven-and-a-half years, Judge Ian Lawrie KC told him: “You embarked on a carefully contrived and calculated process of grooming. 

“You took advantage of her youth and ignorance.

“It’s hard to understand why you did what you did, but there can be no excuses for your actions, which were based on lust and desire.

"You were reluctant to show any remorse, until your victim had given evidence at your trial, when you pleaded guilty.

“Your sexual activity and the abduction of this girl has come at a heavy price as you will not be eligible for parole until you’ve served at least two thirds of your sentence.”

The judge subjected Davies to a life-long sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration and ordered him to pay a mandatory surcharge of £190.